Wall Street Volatility Returns as U.S. Stocks Fall After Morning Gains

U.S. financial markets experienced renewed turbulence on Thursday as Wall Street erased early gains, reflecting growing investor caution. The S&P 500 fell 1.6%, wiping out a morning surge that briefly approached a 1.9% gain, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 386 points and the Nasdaq composite lost 2.2%.

The swings were driven largely by technology and high-momentum sectors, including AI-focused stocks, cryptocurrencies, and other previously strong performers. Analysts noted that uncertainty over whether AI investments will generate promised economic returns and questions about future Federal Reserve interest rate policy continue to unsettle investors.

Tech Stocks Lead the Decline

Nvidia, a bellwether for AI-driven technology, initially rose 5% following strong quarterly earnings and an optimistic revenue forecast. Analysts at UBS, led by Timothy Arcuri, suggested that Nvidia’s robust guidance could support higher stock prices, noting that “the AI infrastructure tide is still rising so fast that all boats will be lifted.”

Despite these gains, Nvidia ultimately fell 3.2%, highlighting the stock’s significant influence on the S&P 500 due to its market capitalization. Other AI-linked companies experienced similar volatility. Palantir Technologies swung from an early gain of 5.5% to a 5.8% loss, while Amazon shares reversed a 2.1% rise to end down 2.5%.

Investors remain cautious about the broader AI sector, questioning whether heavy investment in chips and data centers will translate into meaningful long-term profits. Nvidia forecasts $65 billion in chip sales over the next quarter, but uncertainty persists over the economic impact for companies relying on these technologies.

Cryptocurrency and Market Sentiment

Cryptocurrencies also weighed on the market, with Bitcoin dropping below $87,000, down from nearly $125,000 earlier last month. Companies linked to the crypto sector faced steep declines: Robinhood Markets fell 10.1% and Coinbase Global lost 7.4%.

According to a Bank of America survey of global fund managers, a record proportion of investors believe companies are overinvesting, reflecting a cautious sentiment toward both tech and AI-related sectors.

Interest Rate Uncertainty Remains

The second factor affecting markets is uncertainty around Federal Reserve policy. Thursday’s U.S. jobs report offered a mixed signal: stronger-than-expected hiring in September indicated ongoing economic resilience, but a slight rise in the unemployment rate left open the possibility of future rate adjustments.

Traders currently assign roughly a 40% probability to a Fed rate cut in December, slightly higher than the 30% chance noted the previous day, according to CME Group data. Market expectations for continued rate cuts have supported stock prices earlier in the year, but persistent inflation above the Fed’s 2% target remains a constraint.

Winners and Losers in the Session

Retailer Walmart was among the few winners on Thursday, rallying 6.5% after reporting strong quarterly sales and profits that exceeded analyst expectations. The company continues to benefit from steady consumer spending, even amid broader economic concerns.

However, the gains from Walmart were overshadowed by losses in technology and crypto sectors, which remain highly sensitive to changes in investor sentiment and policy expectations.

The S&P 500 closed at 6,538.76, down 103.40 points, the Dow fell to 45,752.26, and the Nasdaq ended at 22,078.05, down 486.18 points. Meanwhile, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.09% from 4.13% late Wednesday, reflecting investor recalibration toward fixed-income markets.

Global Market Reactions

Outside the U.S., markets posted gains as investors responded to regional economic and corporate data. Japan’s Nikkei 225 rose 2.6%, while South Korea’s Kospi increased 1.9%. European markets also saw modest advances, suggesting that global equities remain influenced by regional dynamics and corporate earnings reports.